Words: Isis Nicole @theisisnicole
Photography: Jordan Geiger @jgeigs

Terry Hu, a first-generation Chinese-American queer actor from New Jersey (pronouns they/them), is emerging as this year's standout rising star. Their career trajectory is nothing short of impressive, highlighted by a role as a love interest in Max’s drama series The Girls on the Bus, now streaming. Audiences can also anticipate Hu's portrayal of Angie in Hulu’s comedy film Prom Dates, premiering next month.

With a passion for storytelling on camera, Hu gained recognition for portraying the first live-action non-binary character in the popular Disney movie franchise Zombies 3 and previously appeared on Netflix’s Never Have I Ever.

Their on-screen success is a testament to inspiring growth and cultural evolution in the industry, having come a long way from their early days at Disney. Continuing to follow their instincts, fans await Terry's expansion into more mature roles, representing non-binary and Chinese-American identities.

But before breaking into Hollywood, Hu was repeatedly advised that the industry held no opportunities for them and urged to focus on academics. In fact, following through on said expectations, Terry impressively obtained a Neuroscience degree from UCLA and secured admission to top Physical Therapy programs nationwide. In the end of this flex zone, Terry boldly declined graduate school to chase after their aspiration of acting.

This dream proved rewarding. Rising from obscurity, within a year of taking a risk, Hu clinched victory in ABC's national Digital Talent Competition and landed their first audition for a lead role on Netflix. Though they didn't secure the part, it marked a significant achievement for someone who once searched "how to audition for Netflix" online.

Shortly after, Hu secured the lead in the Oscar-qualifying short film Americanized, marking the start of what they consider their journey. Hu remains eager and appreciative as they look forward to their continuing adventure in the industry.

Stay tuned for Hu's insights on sustaining enthusiasm in a demanding industry, advice for aspiring actors, and the importance of artistic growth after the jump.

Watch Prom Dates premiering on Hulu, May 3rd, 2024.

Isis Nicole” Can you tell us more about your early days of searching online for how to audition for Netflix? How helpful were the results?

Terry Hu: Yes! I wish I had some cooler story about it but I literally would just sit and google “how to get auditions for Netflix”. At the time, I didn’t have a theatrical agent and had been submitting myself for auditions on websites like Actors Access but I was eager to find “meatier” roles in a show or in a movie.

Honestly, the results were actually pretty helpful (though I guess that’s not a surprise, it is the internet after all..we LOVE Google in this house!!!) — I didn’t necessarily find a way to “get in the room” for every project I loved, but on occasion, shows/movies would send out an open casting call for ANYONE (fitting the character description) to submit, and I found sites like ProjectCasting.com and Backstage.com (ActorsAccess.com as well, I’m sure) that actually curate these opportunities for the public.

Given that you generally need an agent/manager to help you break into the industry and start auditioning regularly, these sites are suuuuuper helpful for those starting out that want to build their resume/reel so that they can GET repped (or better yet, get noticed by a director/writer/etc.)!

IN: What kind of roles do you find most challenging or rewarding to portray?

TH: I’ve been lucky to have been on some great comedic projects (and can’t wait to do more!) but honestly, since I was a kid, I’ve always been drawn towards drama / more emotional projects or roles. In other words, I find roles or projects that make the audience cry very rewarding, and I mean that in the most loving way possible ❤️

Pretty much, I find it really rewarding to be a part of someone’s potential catharsis — I know from my own experience, there have been movies/shows that made me SOB in a way that I didn’t even know I needed and that helped me release emotions I’ve been holding in, so I think it’s such an honor to potentially affect someone like that.

In terms of what’s most challenging…I think every type of role comes with its own unique set of challenges (i.e. for comedy, sometimes the challenge is in saying the line the exact right way at the exact beat, for drama, maybe it’s tapping into the emotions on the spot, etc. I’ve definitely experienced both of those challenges (in comedy and drama) but generally speaking, I struggle less with, for instance, tapping into emotions and think I would be more challenged by playing a role that feels very outside of me. The example I always go to is like playing a very femme, straight, girly girl. That said, this is actually something I’m really looking forward to eventually playing cause I think it’d ultimately be really fun and I’d love to prove to myself (and others) that I can embody that character just as much as I can a “cool”/queer/masculine character.

IN: How do you typically prepare for auditions or roles?

TH: I used to spend hours prepping each audition, reviewing the sides, annotating each line, etc. And I don’t regret that!!!! These days though, I find that it helps me to not over-prep. I absolutely will review the sides / memorize and get a solid idea of some choices I want to make, but I try to go into the audition (usually a self-tape session) with more flexibility to “play” so I’m not stuck doing it just the way I initially imagined.

IN: How did your last audition feel?

TH: It felt pretty good - it was for a role/project I really enjoyed! I’m lucky to have one of my besties Natasha Behnam (who is a lead on Max’s Girls on the Bus right now as I type this!!! And maybe..I’m in the show too a little..who knows 🤪) as one of my main readers — she’s so talented so I love hearing her thoughts and “playing” with the character with her!

IN: If you could create a new prom tradition, what would it be?

TH: Hmm...I think at some point in the night, there should be a game portion involving mahjong / chess / other board games 😄

IN: Have you considered other aspects of the entertainment industry, such as writing, directing, or producing?

TH: It’s funny—when I was a kid, my dream career was actually to be a writer, but a novelist, in particular. I still feel that if I were to write, I’d lean more towards novels than screenplay…BUT, I have a handful of amazing writers in my close circle and I do like the idea of writing something together eventually, though I have no concrete plans there currently.

That said, I’m getting into producing! An opportunity came up in the past few months and I jumped on it. My producing partner just met with our lawyer this last week and we’re finalizing the details of the company (name, website, all that) before we’re going to start taking official script submissions. In the meantime though, I’ve gotten to read a lot of scripts from my friends or friends of friends already, and am really enjoying exploring this new area as a creative.

I wish something had told me earlier that so much of being an actor is not actually…acting. So much of being an actor is waiting, auditioning, hoping.

〰️

I wish something had told me earlier that so much of being an actor is not actually…acting. So much of being an actor is waiting, auditioning, hoping. 〰️

IN: Has your relationship to your artistry changed in any way this year?

TH: Honestly, the most significant shift in my relationship with acting so far happened a couple of years ago, but I continue to see that shift in action, especially in this past year. Pretty much, a couple years ago, I had this deep, lowkey spiritual realization that in order for me to stay in the acting world, I needed to make sure my world wasn’t just about acting because otherwise, my mental health was just going to deteriorate — after all, most of being an actor is waiting for the next audition or the next “right” role or project that you’ll be booked for. Though I have no problem with the “waiting” (that’s just part of the process), I couldn’t have that be my entire life — it felt too passive, and I needed my brain to be active in other areas.

So, ever since then, I’ve tried diving into other projects and it came into handy this year in particular when the double strike happened and there was nooooothing going on. When the strikes were happening, I, fortunately, was already working on another project, my first mobile app (a relationship wellness app to help loved ones keep in touch — if you’re curious: downloadnurture.com), and being able to focus on something entirely outside of acting was a godsend.

IN: What has been the most memorable moment of your acting career so far?

TH: Oh, man! I feel I’m just at the beginning of my career but am grateful to have had so many surreal moments already. Hm.. honestly, it’s hard to choose, don’t be mad, I’m listing a few off the top of my head!

Being in a Disney movie (doing the Disney wand thing!!!!), being on set as a CO-WORKER (wild) with actors that I grew up watching and/or auditioning for creators that I grew up hearing about / watching the work of, and um.. bringing my immigrant Chinese parents, who deeefinitely had their (understandable) doubts about this career path, to the Zombies 3 (my first feature!) billboard in Times Square and taking a pic with them there :)

IN: What advice would you give to aspiring actors who are just starting out in the industry?

TH: The biggest piece of advice, which I already touched upon earlier, is: in addition to acting, foster other passions/skills too.

This is NOT me saying to not pursue acting — it’s me saying, help yourself not give up on pursuing acting.

I wish something had told me earlier that so much of being an actor is not actually…acting. So much of being an actor is waiting, auditioning, hoping. It involves a looot of downtime and rejection and that can take a big mental toll on you. And if your mental state doesn’t feel good, then you probably won’t feel good about your auditions when they do come, and then your mental state will worsen, etc etc. and this path can easily lead one to feel too burnt out to keep going. You can be the most talented actor in the world, but if your mental state is just too depleted or strung out, then you’ll get in your own way.

SO! Don’t be afraid to learn other skill sets that you enjoy, or dive into other passion projects. During all that downtime, you’ll have something else to focus on and genuinely enjoy/care about as well, which will only make you a happier human, and thus, a better actor.

IN: Lastly, who's on your playlist these days?

TH: Chapelle Roan, Tinashe, Charlotte Day Wilson, Teezo Touchdown, and obviously I do have some of Beyonce’s new songs on repeat (“Levii’s Jeans”…) ⭐️

Follow @huisterry on Instagram

The Art of Personal Growth, Actor Terry Hu

I wish something had told me earlier that so much of being an actor is not actually…acting. So much of being an actor is waiting, auditioning, hoping.

〰️